As the 2024 NASCAR season continues to unfold with action-packed weekends one after another, it’s time to turn our attention to the greatest drivers of yesteryear. NASCAR recently announced the new nominees for the 2025 class of the prestigious Hall of Fame, and it’s safe to say quite a few of our favorites, from the iconic Greg Biffle to the late ‘Mr. Modified’ Ray Hendrick, are prime contenders.

That being said, some of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s favorites inevitably missed out on making an appearance on the nominee list this time around. So who will the JR Motorsports owner be voting for this time around?

Dale Earnhardt Jr sidelines the HoF 2025 nominee list and highlights another legacy

On Wednesday, NASCAR announced the fifteen 2025 Hall of Fame nominees alongside the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions. Going over the nominees, a few expected faces, such as Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, and Randy Dorton, made the Modern Era ballot. Among them were also some of the winningest drivers of the modern era, from Carl Edwards to Ricky Rudd. But it was the pioneer ballot that left a lot to be desired for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Pioneer Ballot, which consists of NASCAR drivers and racers who started their careers over six decades ago, listed Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Ralph Moody, and Larry Phillips as the nominees for 2025. Though each of them had contributed significant success to their teams throughout their NASCAR careers, Dale Earnhardt Jr felt two major names could have, and should have, made that list.

Taking to X, the JR Motorsports boss shared his thoughts, “Sam Ard dropped, and still no Ray Elder. 😔” The veteran, as a result, struck a chord with many fans when he brought up the dropping of Sam Ard from the nomination list. The Florence, South Carolina, native was a common visitor at victory lane in the 80s, winning back-to-back NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (now Xfinity) championships. Making him a prime contender for a HoF nomination.

That being said, the late Sam Ard wasn’t the only one snubbed of a deserving nomination in Junior’s eyes. Ray Elder, the prominent NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup series driver, was also left out of the 15 nominees. But there was one nomination in the Pioneer era category, which Junior was rather pleased with, ultimately revealing his vote lay with Larry Phillips. He concluded, “Let’s just hope Larry Phillips finally gets his due. 😁”

Junior sidelined all the big names, like Greg Biffle and Harry Gant, to favor the only five-time NASCAR Weekly Series national championship winner; Larry Phillips. That’s right, the Springfield, Missouri, native lit up racetracks across America in the 1990s. So for Dale Earnhardt Jr, it’s a no-brainer that a driver of such caliber should get his vote. After all, Larry Phillips’ dominance in the 90s should have put him under NASCAR HoF’s radar much sooner!

Taking a look at how Earnhardt Junior pointed out some of the major snubs from the HoF nominee list, the NASCAR community also highlighted another major veteran who is yet to get his dues.

The NASCAR fandom calls Justice for Smokey as they stand behind Junior’s sentiments

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Though it’s safe to say all of the veterans mentioned by Dale Earnhardt Jr that were snubbed irrefutably deserve to be in the nomination lost, if not the HoF. That being said, there is one NASCAR icon that the community just couldn’t let go of in terms of the Hall of Fame nomination that never came. That man is none other than the legendary ‘innovator’ Smokey Yunick.

Considered quite the controversial entity by many, it’s no secret just how entertaining and influential his style and approach to stock car racing were for the community. So naturally, the absence of the legend from the Hall of Fame left many unsatisfied. Add to that the dropping of Sam Ard, and the fandom pulled no punches against the HoF on X.

One user shared their disbelief, “It’s amazing some of these guys aren’t in already. Smokey Yunick should be in but NASCAR will never allow it.” But others felt there were other variables at play: “More baloney. Stop the politics and honor the real legends. #Smokey”

With various veterans, not just Sam Ard, missing out on the HoF owing to reasons unknown to the community, fans called out NASCAR for their treatment of these veterans. A fan who seems to have been keeping track of the snubs in HoF’s nominee lists shared, “No Sam Ard, no Smokey Yunick, no Ralph Earnhardt, etc. And Foyt dropping off is ridiculous. He had seven NASCAR wins, including the Daytona 500. His record compares to Donnie Allison, who had 10 wins and no Daytona 500 wins.”

Similarly, other fans also pointed out the absence of Yunick and how it made little to no sense owing to the nature of NASCAR as a sport. Another passionate Smokey fan stated, “No Smokey Yunick either! SMH. I just don’t get what they’re doing anymore. So many who should already be in who aren’t. I just don’t get it. #SmokeyBelongs”

Evidently, the NASCAR Hall of Fame isn’t in the best of books, both for NASCAR veterans and the community. But can the officials change things around by acknowledging more HoF members each year?